Roar creates a flexible workspace for Evoteq

April 21, 2019

Roar has successfully completed the office for a digital-based and tech solutions company, Evoteq in Downtown Dubai. Pallavi Dean, founder and creative director at Roar, says: “Office design has evolved over the last two decades, thanks in part to the metamorphosis of office culture that now encourages creativity and collaboration.”

For the design inspiration of this 3,230sqft of workspace, the Roar team turned to the binary code, the numeral system made up of two numbers (usually 0 and 1) that computers use. “We asked ourselves, what would it look like to creatively interpret, and even disrupt, binary,?” urged Dean.

The answer was pairing angular shapes – representing the 1’s in binary – with circles, the 0’s. The design features a series of activity-based working spaces that are tied together to form one immersive and interactive office. The designers have used pivoting glass doors that can be left open most of the day, or closed for private discussions.

On the floor, herringbone-patterned wood inlays sit beside Volakas marble flooring, bringing warmth to the overall look. “One of my favourite features is the custom joinery behind the main desk,” says Dean.

When it comes to designing office interiors, aesthetics are important, but they aren’t everything. There are a lot of practical elements to take into account. For example, most of the flooring in the office space is marble. While that looks and feels gorgeous, the designers had to consider the role it played in terms of acoustics. With this in mind, they used carpet and wood flooring as well as a series of rugs in the main work areas and meeting rooms.

Providing a variety of workspaces was crucial to the design brief. “We created two lounge areas for spontaneous brainstorming sessions and informal meetings. In one of these spaces, set just off the busy main work floor, the Lapalma slatted screen offers a sense of privacy and enclosure,” stressed Dean.

Just outside one of the meeting rooms, Dean also created a mini ‘social-media zone’, space where Evoteq’s team members can step aside and update their Instagram, shoot out a message, or take a phone call.

The design also features a circular boardroom. “While this is a traditional meeting space in that it’s a place where people gather to talk, that’s where the tradition ends. We ditched the old-fashioned boardroom design, doing away with the ‘heads of the table’ and opting for a glass-encased circular space that nurtures the idea that everyone is equal. This room also features writable glass surfaces ideal for making notes, and boasts the best views of Burj Khalifa just across the road,” added Dean.

The office’s ceiling-suspended floating desk, featuring deep red Rosso Levanto marble, is also a key collaborative piece. “I love this table because of its dynamic nature. Take the chairs away, and it’s a stand-up meeting area. Spontaneously gather the team, and it’s a collaborative brainstorming spot. Throw a party, and it’s a DJ booth. Host an event, and it’s a buffet table. I enjoy the idea that a piece of furniture can take on so many roles,” concluded Dean.